oh man NYC is a place i wish i own.....but the asking price is way to much. That is why i venture to different state where the money can go further. NYC/SF/DC is way to high. Your mortgage will be higher than the rental income.
Trust me i know the feeling. And of course my parents were like "No, its a bad idea" and just about anyone you tell......but the funny thing i joke with them and tell em "see.....Good things happens when you don't listen to you parents"...lol and the people who told me not to do it...are now the same one asking me about properties.

Anywho.....my rule is 3br/2ba. This attracts families. single or row homes don't really care. i do have a condo.....and yes the i gave it a lot of thought on it because of the condo fee.....but i just include the fee in the rent so it works out. The condo is 1br/1.5ba.
So with that being said.....
Do I prefer condo over SFH? No. i prefer SFH/RH
Will i ever buy a condo? Yes, but it has to really really really good deal.
I do move-in ready home. The most I've ever done on a house is paint and put down new carpet.
I don't do fixer-upper since i go out of state.
If my mortgage is higher than the projected rental income - it's a deal breaker for me.
My management company are the big real estate company that you see in TV/ads/etc.
Good way to determine what area is good...is looking at the school rating.
Good way to determine what will be the rental income...CL, real estate companies, rent.com
If you do start...please and trust me.....do start a llc and list that property under that llc. We are a sue happy country!!!

Duplex are good to.....but you'll typically need more money to start.